In the city of Ikebukuro, among the literary world, there are two major publishing firms.

Now, it is well known that the heads of these firms, two men by the names of Izaya Orihara and Shizuo Heiwajima, are not on good terms with each other. In fact, many speculate that the second firm, YS Publishing, was only created in order to hinder the efforts of the first firm, Dollars Publishing. This doesn't seem too unlikely to me; I've met both men on several occasions, and their grudges for each other extend even to the hours that they aren't in the same area. It's a vicious sort of cycle. Dollars will get a new author to join their team, and YS will dive in to offer a better deal. YS will snag a promising author, and Dollars will be there in a heartbeat with something more tempting.

Working at Dollars Publishing gives me a firsthand view of this rivalry. I'm among many of the staff who have lost authors to YS. I'm also among the many staff who have gained an author from YS.

My latest charge, however, is not originally from either company.

Tsukishima is new, in the eyes of writers, and yet he's already put out two bestselling novels. A few of the more jealous ones complain that he must be stealing work from some other author, and I would have briefly considered that possibility had it not been for the fact that I had pretty much watched him write his second book.

"Roppi-san, I'm doing a book signing tomorrow, right?"

I don't look up from reading his latest manuscript as I reply, "That's right." It'll be his first session, and I'm sure that I'll have to deal with constant questions even hours before. Things like-

"Will there be a lot of people there?"

Well, things like that. I sigh. It's probably not a good idea to tell the truth (judging from how famous he's gotten, the place will be overflowing with people), since he'll just get scared and I'll have to deal with even more anxious inquiries. "I don't know, Tsukishima."

"How long will it last?"

"About three hours. Here, I'm done." I hand the stack of papers back to him. I might not be his editor, but he still asks me to help out sometimes. As long as he's not asking me to write a ten page critique I figure that it won't hurt to have a fresh set of eyes look his work over before he sends it in, and I'm not being conceited when I say I give good advice. I've been in this business for years- that's just how it is. I snap the cap onto my pen with finality. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. It's about time I head off."

Tsukishima is already studying my suggestions, crimson eyes concentrating hard. He glances back at me with a smile and nods. "Thank you so much, Roppi-san!"

I frown, disliking how I'm immediately at ease after this. Truthfully, I wouldn't have left until he'd paid attention to me, but that's normal for communication, right? Never mind that I've walked out on my authors without even saying goodbye before.

"Make sure you get up early tomorrow morning," I remind Tsukishima abruptly, and stand up quickly in order to take my leave.

:

This, I decide the next day, is my least favorite part about working with Tsukishima.

"Roppi-san, there're so many people out there!" The blonde exclaims with wide eyes. A mixture of excitement and nervousness is clear in every movement he makes. "What if they're expecting too much? Ah, I'm going to mess up, I know it!"

Who thought it was a good idea to let him know about the rather large crowd outside, anyways?

"Calm down. There's no way you'll mess up," I say. I don't know if just that is reassuring enough, but it'll have to do because he's already being announced outside, and there are murmurs of expectation that can be heard even through the door of the back room we're situated in. Tsukishima shoots me a look of panic. "Tsukishima, just take deep breaths and don't freak out." Really, they should have added 'Must Be Able To Appear In Front Of Crowds' to the job description. I know that he hates being the center of attention, but seriously, those people out there love him. It isn't like he's going to be met with jeers and teasing.

Biting his lip, Tsukishima inhales slowly. I roll my eyes and open the door, taking a light hold on his sleeve and pulling him forward.

Sometimes, he just needs a little push, and I reserve that duty only for myself.

:

About halfway through the signing, a pair of oddly dressed people walk into the bookstore. I notice them right away because of the sheer amount of pink on their person. It's vaguely sickening, really. I can't help but glance down at my own red and black combination.

Much better.

Well, I suppose that they're not the only strangely dressed people here. I'm incredibly amused to see that there's one boy who is dressed up as one of Tsukishima's characters, complete with the crown and brown cape. He wears an impatient expression as he waits in the long line, crossing and uncrossing his arms, lips quirked downwards. He turns his nose up and edges away from one of the newcomers- the tall blonde man with pink and white headgear covering his ears. The shorter man with black hair and the same color combination bounces up and down lightly next to him. A sinking feeling permeates my gut as I watch them get into line.

Perhaps it's just because the taller one looks suspiciously business-like, and even though the other one appears to be an enthusiastic fan, neither are carrying a book for Tsukishima to scribble his signature in, but I feel that their intrusion can mean nothing good for me.

It's twenty minutes until the costumed boy walks out pompously, and the duo arrives at the table that my author is situated.

He's gotten used to the crowd, and he greets the two with a small smile, his mouth forming a thank you for being here. I've been standing at a fair distance away, observing, but as the shorter of the two begins to chatter happily and helpless confusion creases Tsukishima's eyebrows, I stride over just in time to overhear part of the short man's speech.

"...and this is Delic, who would be your manager if you decided to join our team! He's really great at his job, you know! Oh, and I'm Psyche. You'll join us, right? Right? It'll be so fun! Dollars is really boring compared to YS Publishing, Tsuki-kun."

It takes me only a second to realize what's happening and that I should have expected a stunt like this. Tsukishima has been backed into a corner- he has people waiting on him, and if he refuses right off the bat, Psyche will only continue to hold up the line and list reasons why the blonde should transfer. Even more vexing is the fact that he wholeheartedly believes everything he's saying, and that conviction in itself might have been able to pull a yes from a potential author's lips. "Excuse me," I say, tapping on Psyche's shoulder, "but we're in the middle of signing here. If you have some business with my author, please contact him later." I linger purposely on a certain two words. I've been with Tsukishima since the beginning of his career, and no way am I letting these two get him that easily.

"Oh," Psyche looks genuinely surprised. "I'm very sorry! You must be...um...Hachimenroppi-san, right? I've heard about you!" He turns back to Tsukishima with a smile. "I'll be sure to get back to you later, Tsuki-kun! Good luck!" I step back with a frown, watching as the two head away. Delic hadn't even said anything the whole time, just stood there, disinterestedly surveying the store. YS Publishing was aiming to replace me with a man like that? I would've at least talked to the author a little bit, introduced myself, and then let Psyche go on his little tangent.

But even that wasn't my biggest concern. No. The biggest question on my mind was- would Tsukishima treat Delic the same way that he treats me?

:

"You did a good job," I tell Tsukishima after the ordeal is over and we're back at his apartment, eating takeout with about the same amount of enthusiasm as a barely filled helium balloon floating into the air. The pitter-patter of rain taps a greeting against the windows; the light drizzle had begun during our trip home and intensified as we ran inside the building. I can't help but be utterly relaxed at the moment, because the rain and Tsukishima's quiet demeanor are the closest things I can get to someone else's equivalent to a glass of wine or a bar of chocolate.

He gives me a grateful smile. "It was fun after it stopped being scary."

"I don't see why it was scary in the first place. You should expect these kinds of things," I say seriously, but my lips twitch ever so slightly at the corners.

"T-Then, I'll do better next time."

Tsukishima's insistence is predictable, just like his determination to try harder. I've worked with authors that think everything they do is perfect, or that I'm just trying to boss them around, and I'm guessing that the latter is in part due to the coldness I usually exude. It isn't like I do it on purpose, however- and Tsukishima is one of the few people to understand that. "You did fine, as I said earlier. Book signings are nothing to get worried about."

"Have you been to many other book signings, with other authors?"

"Of course." I'm a little surprised at the melancholy note that weaves through the writer's words.

"Ah," he replies, staring down at the table, "because you seemed really used to my reaction, Roppi-san." Tsukishima gives a nervous laugh for reasons entirely unknown to me.

"Hm?" is my eloquent prompt for explanation. I'm too reposed to garner anything intelligent at the moment.

"Um...never mind," he chuckles again in the same exact inflection. The blonde shuffles around a bit, trying to get comfortable, and then asks, "Roppi-san, would you like to stay over tonight? I know it's pretty late, so..." Blushing faintly, he picks at his folded paper napkin.

I don't think people realize how timid authors are sometimes. Tsukishima is acting like he just asked me to go on a date. "That would be great, actually."

"I'll take the couch-"

"Don't bother," I cut him off, waving my hand dismissively. "I'm used to it."

Tsukishima looks as if he wants to complain, but nods. "Okay." I watch as he plucks up our excess food and trash, going to drop it into the trash can carefully. That's one of the many things I like about him; he always concentrates to make sure he's doing something right, even when it's a simple task such as throwing plates away. Of course, every so often he'll fail, I note amusedly as a plastic fork tumbles down and misses the bin. Tsukishima glances over at me with a comically mortified expression and dives down to grab it.

"What time is it?" I ask, sparing both him and myself from an apology for something that isn't even his fault.

"U-...um," he straightens and pulls his sleeve up to stare at his watch, the white scarf wrapped around his neck close to covering his mouth as his neck tilts downwards, "It's about nine."

"Hm...still too early to go to bed," I muse, shutting my eyes as I decide to go into a full-body stretch. A soft sigh follows the action. "Got anything to do?"

"Not really," he admits hesitantly, and I'm reminded that as an author he probably spends most of his free time writing. Part of me wants to ask him what he thought of Psyche and Delic's proposal...but I don't know if I want to know.

We spend the evening discussing novels, as comes with our occupation, and then climb under blankets and into sleep.

:::::

Original prompt:

"Hachimenroppi/Tsukishima- territorial

Tsuki's a bestselling author and Roppi happens to be his agent/manager. A rival publishing company swoops in and tries to buy out Tsuki's contract and get him to favor a new manager. Roppi finds himself displeased. For several reasons."